Tennis, golf and basketball training device having an adjustable hoop

ABSTRACT

A portable training device to be used during sports and non-sports related practice activities. The training device includes a stand to rest on a surface, an adjustable hoop through which an object is moved during practice, and a hoop support extending between the stand and the hoop. In one embodiment, the adjustable hoop is rotatable between a vertical position, standing upwardly from and in axial alignment with the hoop support, and a horizontal position, facing the flat surface in perpendicular alignment with the hoop support. The length of the hoop support is adjustable so that the distance between the hoop and the stand can be correspondingly adjusted to meet the needs of the user.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser.No. 13/136,772 filed Aug. 9, 2011.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an adjustable training device to be used bythose wishing to practice playing tennis, golf, basketball as well as avariety of other sports and non-sports-related activities. The trainingdevice has a hoop that can be elevated or lowered and rotated betweenvertical and horizontal positions to enable the player to hit, throw,kick or shoot a ball through the hoop at different locations above theground and thereby practice a variety of different shots and techniques.

2. Background Art

It is known that tennis and golf players wishing to practice their gamewill use a target to which a ball is hit. In the case of tennis, aplayer will stand on one side of the tennis net and move the target tothe opposite side of the net. The player tries to hit a tennis ball overthe net so as to land close to the target. In the case of golf, a playerwill place the target on the green or fairway at a particular distanceand then try to hit a golf ball so as to land close to the target.

Although the player may be able to hit his tennis or golf ball close tothe target, there is nothing between the player and the target to helpthe player improve the fundamentals of his game. For example, despitethe tennis player being able to hit his tennis ball to a designatedtarget on the court, there is no way to ensure the proper form and balllocation during the player's serve, ground strokes, volley, etc.relative to the net. Likewise, there is nothing to enable the golfer toimprove the form of his strokes and the flight of the ball whilepitching, driving, etc.

Therefore, what would be advantageous is a portable practice device tobe used with and without a target and by both tennis players andgolfers, where the practice device is adjustable so that the players canhit their tennis and golf balls towards the device in order to practicedifferent strokes and hitting techniques over different distances andthereby improve their form.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general terms and according to a first preferred embodiment, aportable tennis and golf training device is disclosed to be used toenable a player to practice his tennis and golf strokes by hitting atennis or golf ball through an adjustable hoop. The training device hasa stand with a set of collapsible and extendable legs to enhancestability when the device is laid on a tennis court, grass or other flatsurface. A hollow tubular lower height-adjustment member is coupled toand extends vertically upward from the stand. A hollow tubularintermediate height-adjustment member is telescopically received by andslidable through the lower height-adjustment member. A hollow tubularupper height-adjustment member is telescopically received by andslidable through the intermediate height-adjustment member. The lower,intermediate and upper height-adjustment members can be pulled upwardlyand outwardly so as to stand in vertical end-to-end alignment one abovethe other. Threaded compression nuts surround and interlock theoverlapping ends of the lower, intermediate and upper height-adjustmentmembers so as to maintain the vertical end-to-end alignment thereofabove the stand.

The practice device includes an adjustable hoop that is coupled to androtatable relative to the upper height-adjustment member by means of ahoop carrier. The hoop is preferably circular, but may include one ormore flat sides or a plurality of arcuate sides that are detachablyconnected together. One end of the hoop carrier is pivotally connectedto the upper height-adjustment member. A mounting sleeve having achannel running longitudinally therethrough is fixedly connected to theopposite end of the hoop carrier. The adjustable hoop is received by andretained within the channel through the mounting sleeve. A curved guiderail is detachably connected to the top of the upper height-adjustmentmember. The hoop carrier is adapted to rotate over the curved guide railto cause a corresponding rotation of the mounting sleeve and the hoopthat is retained by the mounting sleeve so that the position of the hoopis adjustable through an arc which extends between a vertical positionfacing the player and a horizontal position facing the ground. Once theposition of the hoop is selected, a fastener (e.g., a pull pin) isremovably inserted through axially-aligned holes formed in the hoopcarrier and the guide rail to prevent a displacement of the hoop carrierand the hoop which is carried thereby.

In operation, once the position of the hoop is selected and locked inplace by the fastener, the stand of the practice device is stationed asdesired on a tennis court adjacent the net or on a green or fairway of agolf course. The tennis or golf player practices his stroke and formwhile attempting to hit a tennis ball or golf ball through the hoopwhich extends above the stand.

According to another preferred embodiment, a portable training device isdisclosed to be used for a variety of sports (e.g., basketball) andnon-sports related activities. The training device has a collapsiblestand with a set of folding legs that are rotatable between horizontallyextended and vertically collapsed positions. Lower, intermediate andupper height adjustment members are telescopically received and slidableone within the other so as to stand vertically upward between the standand a rotatable hoop. An end cap surrounds the top of each of the lowerand intermediate height adjustment members. Each end cap has a lockingcollar through which the intermediate and upper height adjustmentmembers are pulled or pushed to adjust the elevation of the hoop abovethe ground. A locking bolt is manipulated to compress each of thelocking collars and thereby hold the lower, intermediate and upperheight adjustment members in end-to-end alignment with one another.

The rotatable hoop is pivotally connected to and detachable from the topof the upper height adjustment member by means of a hoop connector. Athreaded locking pin is pushed through the upper height adjustmentmember and the hoop connector to be connected to a threaded knob andthereby establish an axle around which the hoop can rotate betweenvertical and horizontal positions depending upon the activity to bepracticed. That is, the position of the rotatable hoop is selectivelyadjustable above the stand both vertically (by means of raising orlowering the lower, intermediate and upper height adjustment members)and horizontally (by rotating the hoop at the hoop connector relative tothe height adjustment members).

The rotatable hoop can be separated (i.e., pulled off) from the upperheight adjustment member at the hoop connector. In this case, one end ofa horizontal cross bar is detachably connected to the top of the upperheight adjustment member by means of a first elbow joint. A verticalsuspension bar is detachably connected to the opposite end of thehorizontal cross bar by means of a second elbow joint so that thesuspension bar depends downwardly from the cross bar towards the ground.The rotatable hoop is now detachably connected to the suspension bar atthe hoop connector, whereby the hoop is suspended from and held by thesuspension bar above the ground. The elevation of the rotatable hoop offthe ground can be selectively adjusted by means of raising or loweringthe lower, intermediate and upper height adjustment members above thestand.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a training device having a position adjustable hoopaccording to a first preferred embodiment of this invention locatedadjacent a tennis net for use by a tennis player;

FIG. 1A shows a variation of the adjustable hoop from the trainingdevice illustrated in FIG. 1 wherein the hoop has at least one flatside;

FIG. 2 shows an enlargement of the training device of FIG. 1 with theadjustable hoop standing above a hoop support and a stand and beingrotatable relative to the hoop support between vertical and horizontalpositions;

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a rotatable hoop carrier to which the adjustable hoopof the practice device of FIG. 1 is attached;

FIGS. 5 and 6 show an optional clip-on serve toss ring to be detachablyconnected to the adjustable hoop of the training device of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a modified collapsible hoop to be used by thetraining device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 shows the training device with adjustable hoop according to asecond preferred embodiment located at a golf course for use by agolfer;

FIG. 10 shows a training device having a stand and a position adjustablehoop according to a third preferred embodiment to be used for a varietyof sports and non-sports related activities;

FIG. 11 shows the training device of FIG. 10 with the stand thereofhaving folding legs that are rotated to a collapsed condition;

FIG. 12 shows details of the folding legs of the stand of the trainingdevice of FIG. 10 being pivotally connected to the bottom of a set ofheight adjustment members of the training device;

FIG. 13 shows details of the positional adjustable hoop being pivotallyand detachably connected to the set of height adjustment members of thetraining device of FIG. 10;

FIGS. 14-17 show the training device of FIG. 10 with the position of thehoop thereof adjusted above the stand for use in practicing differentsports;

FIG. 18 is an exploded view of a training device having a stand and aposition adjustable hoop which is a modification of the training deviceof FIG. 10;

FIG. 19 shows details of the adjustable hoop being suspended above theground by means of a horizontal cross bar and a vertical suspension bardetachably connected to the stand of the training device of FIG. 18; and

FIGS. 20 and 21 show the training device of FIG. 18 with the positionadjustable hoop thereof suspended above the ground for use in bothsports and non-sports related activities.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring initially to FIG. 1 of the drawings, there is shown a portabletennis training device 1 according to a first preferred embodiment ofthis invention. The tennis training device 1 is ideally positionedadjacent a net 50 of the kind typically found on a tennis court.However, the tennis training device 1 of this invention can also be usedon any flat surface without a net or with any suitable barrier having aheight which simulates the height of the usual tennis net. The tennistraining device 1 is preferably used in combination with a movabletarget 60 which is laid on the tennis court behind the tennis net 50.The training device 1 and target 60 can be stationed on the tennis courtto lie at either the same or opposite sides of the tennis net 50.

As will be described in greater detail hereinafter, the tennis trainingdevice 1 includes a hoop 3 at the top thereof. The position of the hoop3 can be selectively adjusted relative to the tennis net 50 in bothlinear (i.e., vertical) and rotational directions so that a tennisplayer can practice his form and strokes while hitting a tennis ballthrough the hoop. The player can use the tennis training device 1 withor without the target 60. In the case where the target 60 is employed,the position of the hoop 3 and the location of the target 60 can beadjusted relative to one another so that the player practices hitting atennis ball through the hoop to land close to the target.

The adjustable hoop 3 enables the player to practice his volley shotswhile standing close to the hoop and/or his serve and ground strokesstanding away from the hoop. At the same time, the position of the hoop3 above the net 50 can be selectively adjusted depending upon the ageand height of the player. In any case, the hoop 3 of training device 1helps the player practice hitting a tennis ball to a particular locationand elevation above the net 50 so as to reach the target 60. For moreadvanced players, the player can also practice applying spin to a balland the arc along which the tennis ball must travel to pass through thehoop 3 from different positions on the tennis court. What is more, thehoop 3 can be lowered so that the bottom thereof lies below the top ofthe tennis net 50. This will cause the player to practice hitting thetennis ball through a smaller hoop area lying close to and just abovethe top of the net 50 which is desirable in many game situations.

The hoop 3 of tennis training device 1 is shown in FIG. 1 as beingcircular. In this case, it has been found that a hoop diameter of about31 inches is ideal for practicing most tennis shots. It is to beunderstood that the hoop 3 can have a variety of differentconfigurations and shapes. By way of example, a circular hoop 3-1 can bemanufactured with a flat (i.e., straight) bottom 4 like that shown inFIG. 1A for an advantage that will be described when referring to FIGS.3 and 4. By way of another example, the hoop 3 can have flat rather thanround sides. The hoop 3 is preferably manufactured from any suitableimpact-resistant material such as plastic, metal, wood, or the like.

Referring now to FIG. 2 of the drawings, details arc provided of thetennis training device 1 that was described while referring to FIG. 1.The training device 1 includes a stand 5 to be seated upon the tenniscourt adjacent the net 50 as shown in FIG. 1. The stand 5 has a set ofcollapsible legs 7 that are common to a tripod to enhance the stabilityof the device 1. The legs 7 are coupled to a hollow tubular lowerheight-adjustment member 9 of a hoop support by means of hinges 10.Thus, the legs 7 are adapted to be folded (i.e., rotated) at the hinges10 relative to the lower height-adjustment member 9 from an outstretchedposition, as shown, to a collapsed position in axial alignment with thelower height-adjustment member 9 to facilitate storage or transport ofthe training device 1. As an option, each of the legs 7 of the stand 5may have a retractable extension 12 that is slidably received within theleg 7.

The hoop support of the tennis training device 1 also includes a hollowtubular intermediate height-adjustment member 14. The intermediateheight-adjustment member 14 is shaped and sized (i.e., with a smallerdiameter) so as to be slidably and telescopically received within thehollow tubular lower height-adjustment member 9. The intermediateheight-adjustment member 14 can be pulled outwardly or pushed inwardlyof the lower height-adjustment member 9 as is needed in order tocorrespondingly adjust the height above the base 5 of the hoop 3 that iscarried at the top of the training device 1.

FIG. 2 shows the intermediate height-adjustment member 14 pulledupwardly and outwardly from the lower height-adjustment member 9 so asto be in vertical end-to-end alignment therewith. In its upstandingposition as shown, the lower or bottom end of the intermediateheight-adjustment member 14 is received inside and releasably attachedto the upper end or top of the lower height-adjustment member 9.

A well-known threaded compression nut 16 which surrounds theintermediate height-adjustment member 14 is rotated into matingengagement with a correspondingly threaded portion of the lowerheight-adjustment member 9 so that the overlapping ends of the lowerheight-adjustment member 9 and the intermediate height-adjustment member14 will be held in place standing vertically one above the other. Ratherthan the aforementioned threaded nut 16, a removable locking pin (notshown) can be inserted through axially-aligned locking holes (also notshown) in order to hold the intermediate and lower height-adjustmentmembers 14 and 9 one above the other. By way of example, a suitablelocking pin can be any of a spring-loaded plunge pin, hitch pin, pullring pin, or the like.

The hoop support of the tennis training device 1 also includes a hollowtubular upper height-adjustment member 18. The upper height-adjustmentmember 18 is shaped and sized (i.e., with a smaller diameter) to beslidably and telescopically received within the intermediateheight-adjustment member 14. The upper height-adjustment member 18 canbe pulled outwardly or pushed inwardly of the intermediateheight-adjustment member 14 as is needed to correspondingly adjust theheight above the base 5 of the hoop 3 that is carried at the top of thetraining device 1. FIG. 2 shows the upper height-adjustment member 18pulled upwardly and outwardly from the intermediate height-adjustmentmember 14. In its upstanding position as shown, the lower end or bottomof the upper height-adjustment member 18 is received inside andreleasably attached to the upper end or top of the intermediateheight-adjustment member 14.

A threaded compression nut 20 which surrounds the upperheight-adjustment member 18 is rotated into mating engagement with acorrespondingly threaded portion of the intermediate height-adjustmentmember 14 so that the overlapping ends of the upper and intermediateheight-adjustment members 18 and 14 will be held in place standingupwardly one above the other. The threaded nut 20 which holds theoverlapping ends of the height-adjustment members 14 and 18 may beidentical to that described when referring to the end-to-end engagementof the intermediate height-adjustment member 14 to the lowerheight-adjustment member 9.

The previously described adjustable hoop 3 is coupled to the top of thehollow upper height-adjustment member 18 of the training device 1 sothat the hoop 3 can be rotated continuously relative to member 18through an arc of about 90 degrees from a vertical position, in axialalignment with the upper height-adjustment member 18, to a horizontalposition, in perpendicular alignment with member 18. In its verticalposition, the central opening through the hoop 3 will face the player toenable serves, volleys, ground strokes, etc. to be practiced. In itshorizontal position, the central opening through the hoop 3 will beparallel to the ground to enable dropshots to be practiced. As will soonbe explained, the adjustable hoop 3 can be rotated to any locationbetween the vertical and horizontal positions described above dependingupon the training activity of the player.

The adjustable hoop 3 is coupled to the upper height-adjustment member18 by means of a hoop carrier having a pair of spaced, parallel-alignedarms 24. Turning to FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings, first ends of thehoop carrier arms 24 are shown pivotally connected to the upperheight-adjustment member 18 by a fastener 26. The fastener 26 extendsthrough axially-aligned openings (now shown) formed through the firstends of the hoop carrier arms 24 and the top of the upperheight-adjustment member 18 located therebetween such that the hoopcarrier arms 24 are rotatable through the aforementioned 90-degree arcrelative to member 18. It is preferable that the fastener 26 isdetachably connected to and removable from the upper height-adjustmentmember 18 so that the hoop carrier arms 24 can be separated from thetraining device 1 to facilitate the transport and compact storagethereof.

A mounting sleeve 28 having a channel 29 running longitudinallytherethrough is affixed to the opposite ends of the hoop carrier arms24. The size and shape of the channel 29 through the mounting sleeve 28corresponds to the size and shape (i.e., cross-section) of the hoop 3.The hoop 3 is received through and retained in frictional engagementwith the sleeve 28 so that the sleeve is rotatable above the upperheight-adjustment member 18 of practice device 1 by means of the hoopcarrier arms 24. To this end and as was previously explained, the hoop 3can be manufactured with a straight bottom (designated 4 in FIG. 1A) tobe located within and make a tight fit with the channel 29 through themounting sleeve 28.

A guide rail 30 having a curved body and stops 31-1 and 31-2 projectingoutwardly from opposite ends of the body is connected to the top of theupper height-adjustment member 18. A fastener 32 (of FIG. 4) extendsthrough the guide rail 30 for receipt by a plug (not shown) locatedwithin the top of the hollow upper height-adjustment member 18 by whichto secure the guide rail 30 atop member 18. It is preferable that thefastener 32 be detachably connected to and removable from the upperheight-adjustment member 18 so that the guide rail 30 can be separatedfrom the training device 1 to facilitate the transport and compactstorage thereof.

A series of angle adjustment holes 36 are spaced from one anotherthrough the curved body of the guide rail 30. An angle retention hole 38is formed through each of the pair of rotatable hoop carrier arms 24.The hoop carrier arms 24 are simultaneously rotated along the curvedbody of guide rail 30 for correspondingly rotating the hoop 3 throughthe arc between the vertical and horizontal positions (as shown in FIG.2) relative to the upper height-adjustment member 18. Theoutwardly-projecting stops 31-1 and 31-2 at the opposite ends of theguide rail 30 are sized so as to be able to engage the mounting sleeve28 and thereby prevent an over-rotation of the hoop carrier arms 24 pastthe vertical and horizontal positions.

The hoop carrier arms 24 are rotated to a desired position over theguide rail 30 until the hoop 3 that is retained by the mounting sleeve28 is correspondingly rotated as desired between the vertical andhorizontal positions of FIG. 2. A pull ring pin 40 (of FIG. 4) or anyother suitable fastener is pushed through the angle retention hole 38 ofeach of the hoop carrier arms 24 and an axially-aligned one of the angleadjustment holes 36 of the guide rail 30 to prevent a further rotationof the hoop carrier arms 24 and a corresponding displacement of the hoop3. However, should it be necessary to change the position of the hoop 3during training, the pull ring pin 40 is pulled out of the angleadjustment and angle retention holes 36 and 38 to allow the hoop carrierarms 24 to again be rotated along the guide rail 30 as is necessary.

FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawings show an optional feature of the tennistraining device 1 that was described while referring to FIGS. 1-4 toenable the player to practice his serve toss. A clip-on serve toss ring44 is detachably connected to the hoop 3 of the training device 1 afterthe hoop has first been rotated (by means of the hoop carrier arms 24)to the vertical position of FIG. 5 standing upwardly from the upperheight-adjustment member 18. The serve toss ring 44 has a pair ofwell-known clip fasteners 46. Each clip fastener 46 includes a pair offlexible grasping fingers 48 having a spring memory so that the fingersare urged to close towards one another. The serve toss ring 44 iscoupled to the top of the hoop 3 when the hoop is in its verticalposition so that the ring 44 projects horizontally outward and inperpendicular alignment therewith by moving the clip fasteners 46 untilthe hoop is received between the pairs of flexible grasping fingers 48.The serve toss ring 44 has a diameter of about 12 inches to enable theplayer to practice over time tossing a tennis ball above his head andout in front so that the ball will drop through the ring to simulate aserve.

FIGS. 7 and 8 of the drawings show a modified collapsible hoop 70 whichcan be substituted for the hoop 3 of the tennis training device ofFIG. 1. The hoop 70 is formed by a plurality of arcuate hoop segments72-1 . . . 72-4 that are coupled to one another by means of fasteners74. The fasteners may be removed from the hoop 70 to permit the hoopsegments 72-1 . . . 72-4 to be separated from each other and enable thehoop 70 to be more easily attached to the mounting sleeve 28.Alternatively, the fasteners 74 can be simply loosened to permit thehoop segments 72-1 . . . 72-4 to rotate around the fasteners andcollapse together to reduce the size of the hoop 70 and therebyfacilitate transport and a compact storage package.

FIG. 9 of the drawings shows the identical portable training device 1that was earlier described for use by a tennis player now being used byone practicing his golf swing and technique according to anotherpreferred embodiment of this invention. The stand 5 of the golf trainingdevice 1 can be moved to any suitable position at a golf course toenable the player to hit his golf ball through the hoop 3 towards atarget 80 (e.g., a flag). In this case, the golfer can adjust theposition of the hoop 3 in the manner previously disclosed to practicethe line and height of his shots (e.g., drives, pitches, wedge shots,etc.) through the hoop as the practice device is moved to differentdistances from the target 80.

FIGS. 10 and 11 of the drawings show a portable and adjustable trainingdevice 80 according to a third preferred embodiment of this invention.As will be described when referring hereinafter to FIGS. 14-17, thetraining device 80 may be used to enable players to practice a varietyof different activities. However, by virtue of its easily-adjustablenature, the training device 80 has the versatility to be used by thesame individual or different individuals for both sporting (e.g.,basketball) and non-sporting events. Moreover, the adjustable trainingdevice 80 can be used both indoors and outside on any suitable playsurface including a wooden floor, concrete or grass.

Like the training device 1 described while referring to FIGS. 1-9, thetraining device 80 includes a collapsible stand 82 and a rotatable hoop84. A set 86 of telescoping height-adjustment members extends betweenthe collapsible stand 82 and the rotatable hoop 84. As will soon beexplained, the position of the hoop 80 can be selectively adjustedrelative to the stand 84 in both linear (i.e., vertical) and rotational(i.e., horizontal) directions depending upon the activity to becompleted.

The collapsible stand 82 of the training device 80 has a set of foldinglegs 88, whereby the stand can be manipulated between a deployedcondition (best shown in FIG. 10) during use of the training device 80and a collapsed condition (best shown in FIG. 11) to form a compactassembly for transport or storage when the training device is not beingused. A first end of each folding leg 88 is connected to a flat foot 90.The flat feet 90 of the folding legs 88 are rotatable so as to lay flatupon or be rotated relative to the play surface and thereby maximize thestability of the training device 80 during practice.

The opposite end of each folding leg 88 is pivotally coupled to a pairof leg brackets 92 so as to lie therebetween and be rotatable relativethereto. Each pair of leg brackets 92 extends outwardly from a base 94that lies in surrounding engagement with the bottom of the set 86 ofheight-adjustment members. For the training device 80 of FIGS. 10 and11, a total of three pairs of leg brackets 92 between which respectiveones of the folding legs 88 are pivotally connected.

The folding legs 88 of the collapsible stand 82 are preferably hollowelongated tubes or posts. Referring to FIG. 12 of the drawings, eachfolding leg 88 is shown pivotally coupled between a pair ofparallel-aligned leg brackets 92 by means of an axle (e.g., a threadedbolt 96) which runs laterally through the pair of leg brackets 92 andthe hollow folding leg 88. A fastener (e.g., a threaded nut 98) isrotated into mating engagement with the threaded bolt 96 to hold thebolt in place so that the folding leg 88 can be rotated therearound asthe stand 82 is manipulated between the deployed and the collapsedconditions.

A first pair of retractable spring-loaded lock-release snap pins 100-1and 100-2 projects outwardly from one side of each of the hollow foldinglegs 88 of the collapsible stand 82. A second pair of retractable snappins (not shown) projects from the opposite side of each folding leg 82.The pair of snap pins 100-1 and 100-2 are connected to one another so asto move relative to the leg 82 in unison in response to a pushing forceapplied thereto. A lower first pair of locking holes 102 are axiallyaligned with one another through each pair of locking brackets 92 towhich a folding leg 88 is pivotally coupled. An upper second pair oflocking holes 103 are axially aligned with one another through each pairof locking brackets 92. An intermediate third pair of locking holes 104are axially aligned with one another through, each pair of lockingbrackets 92.

With the collapsible stand 82 of the training device 80 in its deployedcondition of FIG. 10, the collapsible legs 88 are outstretched generallyhorizontally from the base 94 from Which the set 86 height-adjustmentmembers is upstanding. In this case, the pair of retractablespring-loaded lock-release snap pins 100-1 and 100-2 are urged outwardlyfrom each side of a hollow folding leg 88 by means of a spring (notshown) located inside the leg so that a first of the pair of snap pins100-2 is received and captured by the intermediate locking hole 104formed in one of the pair of leg brackets 92. The receipt of the snappin 100-2 by the locking hole 104 locks the folding legs 88 in theiroutstretched position of FIG. 12 to hold the collapsible stand 82 in itsdeployed condition.

When it is desirable to manipulate the collapsible stand 82 to itscollapsed, condition of FIG. 11, a pushing force is applied to thesecond of the pair of retractable snap pins 100-1 at each side of thehollow folding leg 88. The pushing force causes snap pin 100-1 toretract inwardly of its leg 88. The retraction of snap pin 100-1 causesthe first snap pin 100-2 to simultaneously move out of its lockingreceipt by the locking hole 104 and inwardly relative to its leg 88. Thefolding leg 88 is now free to be rotated upwardly around the bolt (i.e.,axle) 96 in the direction of reference arrow 106 from its outstretchedhorizontal position of FIG. 12 to a vertical position shown in FIG. 11lying in generally side-by-side parallel alignment with the set 86 ofheight-adjustment members.

As the folding leg 88 is rotated upwardly towards the set 86 ofheight-adjustment members, the lock-release snap pins 100-1 and 100-2are correspondingly rotated until the first snap pin 100-2 is receivedand captured by the upper locking hole 103 formed in leg bracket 92.That is, the pair of spring-loaded lock-release snap pins 100-1 and100-2 will be once again urged outwardly from the folding leg 88 so thatsnap pin 100-2 moves through locking hole 103, whereby to lock thefolding leg 88 in its vertical position of FIG. 11 to enable a compactand space-efficient collapsed condition for the training device 80. Thisprocess is repeated until all of the folding legs 88 of the collapsiblestand 82 are rotated and held in place vertically and alongside the set86 of height-adjustment members.

The same process may be followed by applying a pushing force to thesecond lock-release snap pin 100-1 at each side of the folding leg 88 bywhich to enable the leg to rotate downwardly in a direction opposite tothat of the reference arrow 106 until the first snap pin 100-2 isreceived in and captured by the lower locking hole 102. Thus, thefolding leg 88 of stand 82 will be angled downwardly from the brackets92 (not shown) to lift the set 86 of height-adjustment members higherabove the ground.

Like the previously-disclosed training device 1 of FIGS. 1-9, the set 86of the height-adjustment members of the adjustable training device 80 ofFIGS. 10 and 11 which extends between the collapsible stand 82 and therotatable hoop 84 includes a lower height-adjustment member 112, anupper height-adjustment member 114, and an intermediateheight-adjustment member 116. Although the set 86 includes threeheight-adjustment members 112, 114 and 116, this is for the purpose ofexample only, and more or less than the aforementioned three members maybe used depending upon how high the hoop 84 will be raised above thestand 82.

Each of the height-adjustment members 112, 114 and 116 is preferably anupstanding hollow tube or post extending one above the other. The lowerheight-adjustment member 112 is attached to the collapsible stand 82 atthe base 94.

The intermediate height-adjustment member 116 is shaped and sized (i.e.,with a smaller cross section) so as to be slidably and telescopicallyreceived within the hollow lower height-adjustment member 112. Theintermediate height-adjustment member 116 can be pulled outwardly orpushed inwardly of the lower height-adjustment member 112 as is neededin order to correspondingly adjust the height of the hoop 84 that iscarried at the top of the set 86 of height-adjustment members. Theintermediate height-adjustment member 116 can be pulled upwardly andoutwardly from the lower height-adjustment member 112 so as to lie invertical end-to-end alignment therewith. In its upstanding position asshown in FIG. 14, the bottom of the intermediate height-adjustmentmember 116 is received inside and releasably attached to the top of thelower height-adjustment member 112.

The upper height-adjustment member 114 is shaped and sized (i.e., with asmaller cross section) to be slidably and telescopically received withinthe intermediate height-adjustment member 116. The upperheight-adjustment member 114 can be pulled outwardly or pushed inwardlyof the intermediate height-adjustment member 116 as is needed tocorrespondingly adjust the height of the hoop 84 above the stand 82 ofthe training device 80. FIG. 14 shows the upper height-adjustment member114 pulled upwardly and outwardly from the intermediateheight-adjustment member 116. In its upstanding position, the bottom ofthe upper height-adjustment member 114 is received inside and releasablyattached to the top of the intermediate height-adjustment member 116.

As is best shown in FIG. 13 of the drawings, an end cap 118-1 lies insurrounding engagement with the top of the lower height-adjustmentmember 112. A flexible locking collar 120-1 having an open gap 121running between adjacent portions thereof is co-extensively connected toand located above the end cap 118-1. The locking collar 120-1 surroundsthe intermediate height-adjustment member 116 near the top thereof. Apair of cylindrical axially-aligned bolt sleeves 122 and 124 are spacedfrom one another along one side of the flexible locking collar 120-1 sothat the sleeves lie at opposite sides of the gap 121 in the collar120-1 which surrounds the intermediate height-adjustment member 116. Athreaded locking bolt 126 extends through the cylindrical bolt sleeves122 and 124. A threaded locking knob 128 is rotated into matingengagement with one end of the threaded locking bolt 126, such that arotational force applied to the locking knob 128 applies a pulling forceto and a corresponding linear displacement of the locking bolt 126through the axially-aligned bolt sleeves 122 and 124.

As earlier described, the intermediate height-adjustment member 116 isslidable through the lower height-adjustment member 112. However, whenthe locking knob 128 is rotated and the locking bolt 126 is pulledthrough the bolt sleeves 122 and 124 towards the locking knob, acompressive force is generated by the locking collar 120-1 at the gap121. In this case, the gap 121 is closed, and the locking collar 120-1is tightened around the intermediate height-adjustment member 116 toprevent the intermediate member from sliding into or out of the lowerheight-adjustment member 112. Thus, the intermediate height-adjustmentmember 116 is held in place relative to the lower height-adjustmentmember 112 either retracted therewithin as shown in FIG. 13 or extendedoutwardly therefrom as shown in FIG. 14. By rotating the locking knob128 in an opposite direction, the locking bolt 126 is loosened withinthe bolt sleeves 122 and 124 to reduce the compressive force applied bythe locking collar 120-1 so as to permit an adjustment of theintermediate height-adjustment member 116 relative to the lowerheight-adjustment member 112. In this case, the knob 128 can be rotatedand separated from the locking bolt 126 so that the bolt can be pushedout of and separated from the bolt sleeves 122 and 124.

An end cap 118-2 lies in surrounding engagement with the top of theupper height-adjustment member 114. A flexible locking collar 120-2having a gap 130 formed therein is co-extensively connected to andlocated above the end cap 118-2. The locking collar 120-2 surrounds theupper height-adjustment member 114 near the top thereof. A pair ofcylindrical, axially-aligned bolt sleeves 132 and 134 are affixed to andspaced from one another along one side of the flexible locking collar120-2 which surrounds the upper height-adjustment member 114. A threadedlocking bolt 136 extends through the cylindrical bolt sleeves 132 and134. A threaded locking knob 138 is rotated into mating engagement withone end of the threaded locking bolt 136, such that a rotational forceapplied to the locking knob 138 applies a pulling force to and acorresponding linear displacement of the locking bolt 136 through theaxially-aligned bolt sleeves 132 and 134 and towards the knob 138.

As was also previously described, the upper height-adjustment member 114is slidable through the intermediate height-adjustment member 116. Whenthe locking knob 138 is rotated and the locking bolt 136 is pulledthrough the bolt sleeves 132 and 134, a compressive force is generatedby the locking collar 120-2 at the gap 130, whereby the gap is closedand locking collar is tightened around the upper height-adjustmentmember 116. When the locking knob 138 is rotated in an oppositedirection, the locking pin 136 is loosened within the bolt sleeves 132and 134 to reduce the compressive force being applied by the lockingcollar 120-2. Increasing or reducing the compressive force generated bythe locking collar 120-2 around the upper height-adjustment member 114by rotating the locking knob 138 allows the adjustment of the upperheight-adjustment member 114 relative to the intermediateheight-adjustment member 116 between retracted and extended positions.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 13, the rotatable hoop 84 of the trainingdevice 80 is shown connected to the upper height-adjustment member 114by means of a pivotal hoop connector 144. The hoop 84 is preferablyround, although the precise shape and dimensions thereof may varydepending upon the nature of the practice activity. A pair of hollowreceptacles 140 of the hoop 84 receive respective opposite ends of aflat head portion 142 of the hoop connector 144. The pivotal hoopconnector 144 sits atop and is detachably connected to upperheight-adjustment member 114. A removable threaded locking pin 146extends through the upper height-adjustment member 114 and a pair ofears 148 that depend downwardly at opposite sides of the hoop connector144 so as to lie against opposite sides of member 114. A threadedlocking knob 150 is rotated into mating engagement with one end of thethreaded locking pin 138. A slit 152 is formed in each ear 148 of thehoop connector 144 so as to communicate with the locking pin 146extending through the ears.

The locking pin 146 functions as an axle around which the detachablehoop connector 144 can pivot in order to cause a corresponding rotationof the hoop 84 through an arc of 180 degrees relative to the set 86 ofheight-adjustment members (of FIG. 1) to a particular position thatdepends upon the activity being practiced. That is, a rotational forceapplied to the locking knob 150 causes a pulling force to be applied toand a corresponding linear displacements of the locking pin 146 towardsthe knob. Depending upon the direction in which the locking knob 150 isrotated, the ears 148 of the hoop connector 144 will be either tightenedagainst or loosened with respect to the upper height-adjustment member114 to either lock the rotatable hoop 84 in place or permit the hoop torotate with the hoop connector 144 around the locking pin 146.

By virtue of the detachable nature of the hoop connector 144, therotatable hoop 84 can be separated from the set 86 of height-adjustmentmember (of FIG. 10) to maximize the versatility of the training device80. That is, the rotatable locking knob 150 is rotated so that thelocking pin 146 can be loosened and removed from its engagement with theupper height-adjustment member 114 and the pair of ears 148 which extendfrom the hoop connector 144. After the locking pin 146 is removed, thedetachable hoop connector 144 may be pulled upwardly and off the top ofthe upper height-adjustment member 114. In the alternative, once thelocking pin 146 has been loosened (but not removed), an upward pullingforce applied to the hoop 84 will cause the hoop connector 144 to besimply pulled off the pin 146 via the slit 152 that is formed in theears 148 of connector 144. The advantage of being able to separate thehoop 84 and the hoop connector 144 from the set 86 of height adjustmentmembers will be explained while referring to FIG. 18.

FIGS. 14-17 of the drawings illustrate examples of different activitieswith which the training device 80 can be used during practice. For manysports, the training device 80 can be used to help a player visualizeand practice the midpoint trajectory to ultimately land a shot in ornear the final goal or target. Thus, the training device 80 ideallyfunctions as a midway target to help the player properly and more oftenhave his shot reach the final goal or target. Advanced athletes get theball to the target with just the right amount of spin and arc(trajectory). As an intermediate training aid, the training device 80teaches the player the correct way to repeatedly and successfully make ashot. In FIG. 14, the training device 80 is used by a basketball playerwith a conventional basketball stand, backboard and rim. In this case,the lower, intermediate and upper height-adjustment members 112, 116 and114 are fully extended and locked in end-to-end axial alignment with oneanother so as to raise the hoop 84 to an elevation above the stand 82 asis necessary to enable a basketball player to practice the arc at whichhe shoots a basketball towards the rim. The rotatable hoop 84 oftraining device 80 is rotated (at the pivotal hoop connector 144) to anadjustable angle depending upon the distance between the device 80 andthe basketball rim.

In FIG. 15, the training device 80 is used by a baseball player topractice pitching a baseball to a target or to another player. In thiscase, the set 86 of height-adjustment members are telescopicallyreceived one inside the other, and the rotatable hoop 84 standsvertically and upwardly from the hoop connector 144. Thus, the hoop 84is held relatively close to the stand 82 and in axial alignment withrespect to the set 86 of height-adjustment members by which to enablethe player to throw the baseball through the hoop.

In FIG. 16, the training device 80 is used by a soccer player topractice kicking a soccer ball through the rotatable hoop 84 to improvethe accuracy of his kicks. In FIG. 17, the training device 80 is used bya lacrosse player to practice hurling a ball into a net that is carriedby the rotatable hoop 84. Regardless of the practice activity, thelength of the set 86 of height-adjustment members and the angle of therotatable hoop 84 relative to the members can be selectively adjustedduring practice according to the skill and needs of the player.

FIGS. 18 and 19 of the drawings illustrate the versatility of thetraining device herein disclosed to be used in different activities. Aswas explained while referring to FIG. 13, the rotatable hoop 84 isdetachable at the pivotal hoop connector 144 thereof from the set 86 ofheight-adjustment members 112, 114 and 116 that stand vertically upwardfrom the base 94 of the collapsible stand 82. FIG. 18 shows a modifiedtraining device 80-1 after the hoop 84 is detached from the upperheight-adjustment member 114. Identical reference numerals are used torefer to parts of the modified training device 80-1 of FIGS. 18 and 19which are the same as parts of the training device 80 of FIGS. 10-17.

The training device 80-1 includes first and second L-shaped elbow joints154 and 156, a horizontal cross bar 158, and a vertical suspension bar160. The first elbow joint 154 includes a hollow receptacle 162 at oneend and a slotted hollow receptacle 164 (best shown in FIG. 19) at theopposite end. A first end of the horizontal cross bar 158 is removablyreceived by the hollow receptacle 162 of the elbow joint 154, wherebythe cross bar 158 and joint 154 are detachably connected together. Thesecond elbow joint 156 includes a pair of hollow receptacles 166 and 168at opposite ends thereof. The opposite end of the horizontal cross bar158 is removably received by one hollow receptacle 166 of the elbowjoint 156, whereby the cross bar 158 and joint 156 are detachablyconnected together. A first end of the vertical suspension bar 160 isremovably received by the other hollow receptacle 168 of the elbow joint156, whereby the suspension bar 160 and joint 156 are detachablyconnected together.

The top of the upper height-adjustment member 114 is removably receivedwithin the slotted hollow receptacle 164 of the elbow joint 154 so thatthe upper member 114 and the joint 154 are detachably connectedtogether. A threaded locking screw 170 is inserted through a hole formedin the upper height-adjustment member 114 and a slot formed in thereceptacle 164 of elbow joint 154. A threaded rotatable locking knob 171is then rotated into releasable mating engagement with one end of thethreaded locking screw 170. Accordingly, the horizontal cross bar 158 isheld between elbow joints 154 and 156 above the ground, and the verticalsuspension bar 160 that is connected to elbow joint 156 dependsdownwardly therefrom towards the pound.

The rotatable hoop 84 of training device 80-1 is detachably connected toand suspended from the free end of the vertical suspension bar 160 inthe same manner in which the hoop is connected to the upperheight-adjustment member 114 of the training device 80 in the mannerdescribed while referring to the training device 80 of FIG. 13. That is,the pivotal hoop connector 144 is seated on the bottom of the suspensionbar 160 such that the opposing slotted ears 148 of connector 144 aredisposed adjacent opposite sides of the bar 160. A threaded lockingscrew 172 is inserted through the suspension bar 160 and the ears 148 ofthe hoop connector 144. A threaded locking knob 174 is then rotated intoreleasable mating engagement with one end of the threaded locking screw172. The locking screw 172 functions as an axle around which the hoopconnector 144 can pivot when the locking knob 174 is loosened to cause acorresponding adjustable rotation of the rotatable hoop 84. With thepivotal hoop connector 144 detachably connected to the bottom of thevertical suspension bar 160, the hoop 84 is held by the suspension bar160 a distance away from the set 86 of height-adjustment members to besuspended above the ground. The hoop connector 144 can be separated fromthe vertical suspension bar 160 in the same manner as shown in FIG. 13.

The versatility of the training device 80-1 is maximized when the hoopconnector 144, the vertical suspension bar 160, the horizontal cross bar158, and the set 86 of height-adjustment members are disconnected fromone another. Not only is the disassembly compact to transport and store,but the hoop connector 144 may be connected directly to the upper heightadjustment member 114 (as shown in FIG. 10).

FIGS. 20 and 21 of the drawings show examples of different applicationsof the training device 80-1 of FIG. 18. The elevation of the rotatablehoop 84 held by the suspension bar 160 above the ground may beselectively adjusted by correspondingly adjusting the positions of theheight-adjustment members 112, 114 and 116 relative to one another aspreviously described while referring to FIG. 13. In FIG. 20, thetraining device 80-1 is used in another sports activity to enable agolfer to practice his golf shots by hitting a golf ball towards atarget after the hoop 84 is moved to different elevations above theground. In FIG. 21, the training device 80-1 is used in a non-sportsrelated activity as an exercise or training aid for a pet jumpingthrough the hoop 84 after the hoop is moved to different elevationsabove the ground.

1. A training device, comprising: a stand to lay on a surface; a hoophaving an opening through which to move an object by one using thetraining device; a hoop support extending between said stand and saidhoop to hold said hoop above said stand, said hoop coupled to said hoopsupport such that said hoop is rotatable relative to said hoop supportfrom a first location to a second location; and a hoop connectorpivotally connected between said hoop support and said hoop so that saidhoop is rotatable relative to said hoop support at said hoop connector,said hoop connector being detachably connected to said hoop support sothat said hoop is correspondingly detachable from said hoop support. 2.The training device recited in claim 1, wherein said stand has avertical upstanding member and plurality of legs, said legs beingrotatable relative to said vertical upstanding member from a firstposition extending outwardly from said member to a second positionextending alongside said member.
 3. The training device recited in claim2, wherein each of said plurality of legs is pivotally connected to thevertical upstanding member of said stand by way of at least one legbracket, said leg bracket having a set of locking holes formed therein,and each leg having at least one spring biased locking pin extendingtherefrom to be urged into removable receipt by different ones of saidset of locking holes of said bracket when said legs are rotated relativeto said vertical upstanding member between said first and said secondpositions.
 4. The training device recited in claim 1, wherein said hoopsupport includes at least a hollow first height-adjustment memberinterconnected with said stand and a second height-adjustment memberinterconnected with said hoop, said second height-adjustment memberbeing slidable inwardly and out of said hollow first height-adjustmentmember to correspondingly adjust the length of said hoop support betweensaid stand and said hoop, said training device further comprising aflexible locking collar surrounding said second height-adjustment memberand coupled to said first height-adjustment member, said flexiblelocking collar adapted to apply a compressive force to said secondheight-adjustment member to prevent a displacement of said secondheight-adjustment member relative to said first height-adjustmentmember.
 5. The training device recited in claim 4, further comprising anend cap connected to said first height-adjustment member, said flexiblelocking collar coupled to said first height-adjustment member at saidend cap thereof to prevent the displacement of said secondheight-adjustment member relative to said first height-adjustment memberin response to the compressive force, applied by said flexible lockingcollar to said second height-adjustment member.
 6. The training devicerecited in claim 5, wherein said end cap is disposed below said flexiblelocking collar and in surrounding engagement with said firstheight-adjustment member.
 7. The training device recited in claim 4,wherein there is an open gap running through said flexible lockingcollar so that a first part of said locking collar is spaced from anadjacent part by said open gap, said training device further comprisingmeans to apply the compressive force to said flexible locking collarsuch that said open gap between the first and adjacent parts of saidflexible locking collar is closed to tighten said flexible lockingcollar around said second height-adjustment member.
 8. The trainingdevice recited in claim 7, wherein the means for applying thecompressive force to said flexible locking collar includes a pair ofspaced, axially aligned sleeves respectively connected to said lockingcollar at the first and adjacent parts thereof, said training devicefurther comprising a fastener moving through said spaced sleeves to pullsaid sleeves together and close the open gap between the first andadjacent parts of said flexible locking collar.
 9. The training devicerecited in claim 7, wherein said fastener is a threaded bolt, saidtraining device further comprising a threaded locking knob connected toone end of said threaded bolt, such that a rotation of said locking knobcauses said threaded bolt to move through said spaced sleeves to therebypull said sleeves together and close said gap.
 10. The training devicerecited in claim 1, wherein said hoop connector includes a first endconnected to said hoop and an opposite end, said training device furthercomprising a pin extending laterally through said hoop support, theopposite end of said hoop connector being pivotally connected to saidhoop support at said pin thereof so that said hoop is rotatable relativeto said hoop support.
 11. The training device recited in claim 10,wherein the first end of said hoop connector includes a head havingfirst and opposite projections, and said hoop includes a pair ofreceptacles that are spaced from one another, the first and oppositeprojections at the head of said hoop connector being received byrespective ones of the pair of receptacles of said hoop, whereby saidhoop is connected to said hoop connector.
 12. The training devicerecited in claim 10, wherein said pin is a threaded pin, said trainingdevice further comprising a threaded locking knob detachably connectedto one end of said threaded pin, said locking knob being detachable fromsaid pin to enable said pin to be removed from said hoop support andsaid hoop connector to be detached from said hoop support.
 13. Thetraining device recited in claim 10, wherein said hoop connectorincludes a pair of ears located adjacent opposite sides of said hoopsupport, said pin extending through said pair of ears and said hoopsupport therebetween, each of said pair of ears having a slit formedtherein, said hoop connector being detached from said hoop support inresponse to a pulling force applied to said hoop connector to cause saidhoop connector to be pulled off said pin by way of the slits formed insaid ears.
 14. The training device recited in claim 1, wherein said,hoop support includes a first vertical member standing upwardly fromsaid stand, a horizontal member extending outwardly from said firstvertical member, and a second vertical member extending downwardly fromsaid horizontal member, said hoop connector being detachably connectedto said second vertical member such that said hoop is suspended by saidsecond vertical member above the stand.
 15. The training device recitedin claim 14, further comprising a first elbow joint by which to connectsaid first vertical member to one end of said horizontal member, and asecond elbow joint by which to connect said second vertical member tothe opposite end of said horizontal member.
 16. The training devicerecited in claim 14, wherein said hoop connector is pivotally anddetachably connected to said second vertical member by means of a pinremovably received through each of said hoop connector and said secondvertical member.